For my craft, Alia has always told me to just surrender completely, says Akansha Ranjan

Actor Akansha Ranjan Kapoor, who made her debut with Netflix original "Guilty", says she is thrilled with all positive messs coming her way and wants her second project to be equally meaningful. Directed by Ruchi Narain and set at peak of India's #MeToo movement, "Guilty" explored different versions of truth that emerge when a small-town girl accuses college heartthrob of rape.

film, written by Kanika Dhillon and Atika Chohan, has been praised for way it deals with prejudices against women coming forward to report cases of sexual violence against m.

"Even before 'Guilty', I wanted to do something which wasn't just fluff. t being disrespectful, but I didn't want to be an actor who just does song and dance. I'm hoping to stick to this kind of stuff which makes an impact and do more films which speak to audience," Akansha told PTI. For newcomer, landing a role in "Guilty" was a dream come true.

Akansha, who is sister of Anushka Ranjan Kapoor and daughter of Shashi Ranjan and Anu Ranjan, said she gave as many as 60 auditions for different projects before "Guilty" came her way. " first time I tested for Mukesh (Chhabra), five-six years ago, he told me I needed a lot of work to do. In my head, I grew up thinking 'I'm Kareena Kapoor' and this was a reality check. I've got experience except for auditions.

"With auditions, you get actual feedback in perspective. You're in a tiny room with someone blankly reading your line, which you have to perform to ar level. That really helps. It gives you confidence and makes you comfortable in front of camera." Bagging a role in "Guilty" came as a relief for Akansha "because after every audition, you feel you'll get it but n you don't."

Akansha said only acting advice that her friend Alia Bhatt gave her was to stay true to her craft.

"For my craft, Alia has always told me to just surrender completely. Don't look left, right, just give whatever was asked of you. I keep joking that I'm always on time, sometimes even before production comes, so I asked her wher re will ever be a time to come late, she said never, t even after ten years. 

"She said keep being punctual, kind and surrender yourself completely because those are three things people tice about you."  actor said though "Gully Boy" star is her one of her closest friends, she doesn't discuss work with her until something is finalised.

"If I feel I'm going to get a partwhich till 'Guilty' I didn'tand it'll be mine, n I tell her story and ask for her opinion. We are testing so much, we don't need to talk about every screen test. 

"Like for 'Guilty', I didn't tell her till my second meeting. But w of course, when I get offers, I will take her opinion because she has a good idea of what scripts work," Akansha added.